[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 24 (Thursday, February 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5998-6000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2815]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


Summer Institute for Educators From South Africa and Namibia

ACTION: Notice--Request for Proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Academic Programs, Academic Exchanges Division, 
Africa Branch of the United States Information Agency's Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for an 
assistance award. Accredited, post-secondary educational institutions 
meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-1 
may apply to develop a Summer Institute for Educators from South Africa 
and Namibia. The Summer Institute will provide a six-week academic 
training/development program for up to 28 educators implementing 
educational reform in South Africa and Namibia.
    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of 
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase 
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the 
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us 
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural 
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United 
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of 
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States 
and the other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the 
program cited above is provided through the Fulbright-Hays Act.
    Programs and projects must conform with Agency requirements and 
guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package. USIA projects and 
programs are subject to the availability of funds.
    Announcement Title and Number: All communications with USIA 
concerning this announcement should refer to the above title and 
reference number E/AEA-98-01.
    Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Thursday, March 19, 
1998. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Documents 
postmarked by the due date but received at a later date will not be 
accepted. It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that 
proposals are received by the above deadline.
    The Summer Institute for Educators should be programmed to 
encompass about 45 days and should begin on or about June 13, 1998. A 
variation in start date up to one week beyond June 13, 1998 will be 
considered if it is necessitated by the host institution's academic 
calendar. No funds may be expended until a grant agreement is signed 
with USIA's Office of Contracts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Academic Programs, 
Academic Exchanges Division, Africa Branch (E/AEA), Ellen S. Berelson, 
Branch Chief, Room 232, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, phone: 202-619-5376, fax: 202-619-6137; or e-
mail: [email protected] to request a Solicitation Package containing 
more detailed award criteria, required application forms, and standard 
guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for 
preparation of the proposal budget.
    To download a Solicitation Package via Internet: The entire 
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's website at http://
www.usia.gov/education/rfps. Please read the information provided 
before downloading.
    To Receive a Solicitation Package by FAX: The entire Solicitation 
Package may be requested via the Bureau's Grants Information ``Fax on 
Demand'' System which is accessed by calling 202/401-7616. Please 
request a Catalog of available documents and order numbers when first 
entering the system.
    Please specify USIA Branch Chief Ellen S. Berelson on all inquiries 
and correspondence. Interested applicants should read the complete 
Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or submitting 
proposals. Once the RFP deadline has passed, Agency staff may not 
discuss this competition in any way with applicants until the Bureau 
proposal review process has been completed.
    Submissions: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the 
Solicitation Package. The original and 10 copies of the application 
should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/AEA-98-01, Office 
of Grants Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street, SW, Washington, 
DC 20547.
    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal on a 3.5'' diskette, 
formatted for DOS. This material must be provided in ASCII text (DOS) 
format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. USIA will transmit 
these files electronically to USIS posts overseas for their review, 
with the goal of reducing the time it takes to get posts' comments for 
the Agency's grants review process.
    Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines. Pursuant to the 
Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-
political character and should be balanced and representative of the 
diversity of American political, social, and cultural life. 
``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass 
differences

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including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, religion, 
geographic location, socio-economic status, and physical challenges. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this 
principle both in program administration and in program content. Please 
refer to the review criteria under the ``Support for Diversity'' 
section for specific suggestions on incorporation diversity into the 
total proposal.
    Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of 
educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not 
fully enjoy freedom and democracy'', USIA ``shall take appropriate 
steps to provide opportunities for participation in such programs to 
human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.'' Proposals 
should account for advancement of this goal in their program contents, 
to the full extent deemed feasible.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Program Overview

    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States 
Information Agency (USIA) solicits proposals for a Summer Institute for 
Educators from South Africa and Namibia (SETI). The 1998 Summer 
Institute will provide participants with intensive training in 
continuous assessment, outcomes-based education, and teaching in the 
large multi-level, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic classroom. These topics 
correspond to the actual teaching environment in South Africa and 
Namibia and to the educational reforms which are being implemented in 
both countries. Subject to availability of funds, one grant will be 
awarded to conduct the 1998 Institute.
    USIA asks for detailed proposals from U.S. institutions of higher 
education which have an acknowledged reputation in the field of 
education, training teachers of English-as-a-second language, special 
expertise in handling cross-cultural programs, and experience with 
educational systems in South Africa and Namibia. Note: Applicant 
organizations should demonstrate a proven record (at least four years) 
of experience in international exchange.
    The program will also provide a structured exposure to U.S. culture 
and the diversity of America. The program should maintain a relative 
balance among discussion sessions, lectures, workshops, and practical 
experience. Lengthy lectures should be kept at a minimum. Participants 
should be given ample opportunity to work together and learn from each 
other as well as from their American instructors.
    Few participants will have visited the United States previously. In 
view of this, an initial orientation to the university community and a 
brief introduction to U.S. society and education should be considered 
an integral part of the Institute and should be held on the first two 
to three days of the program.

Guidelines

    The proposal should be designed to support the following specific 
activities:
    (a) A five-week academic program comprising courses on outcomes-
based education (OBE), continuous assessment/performance assessment, 
teaching in large multi-level, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic classroom 
environments, introduction to the Internet and WWW resources for 
educators, and leadership training to enable participants to conduct 
workshops upon return to their countries. Training should meet the 
special needs of participants from South Africa and Namibia. Detailed 
academic objectives are set forth in the Solicitation Package.
    (b) Cultural activities facilitating interaction among the African 
participants, American students, faculty, and administrators and the 
local community to promote mutual understanding between the people of 
the United States and the people of South Africa and Namibia, planned 
within the five-week academic program.
    (c) A one-week, escorted, cultural and educational tour of 
Washington, DC, complementing and reinforcing the academic material. 
The visit will be planned, arranged and conducted by the Program 
Director and principal Institute staff.
    Participants: Participants to be selected by USIA, will be teacher 
trainers and trainers of trainers. The participants will be teachers of 
English as well as other subjects. They will be professionally employed 
as subject advisors, curriculum developers, and learning facilitators 
and coordinators from provincial departments of education, the national 
department of education, colleges of education and/or universities. 
Minimum qualification for all participants will be a three-year teacher 
training diploma with preference given to candidates with university 
degrees. Recruitment will concentrate on persons who are actively 
involved in implementing continuous assessment and outcomes-based 
education and in developing new curricula which are both relevant and 
suitable. Depending upon availability of funds, approximately 28 
participants from South Africa and Namibia will participate in the 
Institute. Participants will enter the United States on J-visas, using 
IAP-66 forms issued by USIA offices in the home country.
    Orientation: The host institution should plan to conduct either a 
pre-program needs assessment if time allows, or a needs assessment upon 
the arrival of the participants. The Institute Director should be 
prepared to adjust program emphasis as necessary to respond to 
participants' concerns.
    A pre-departure orientation will be held in South Africa for all 
participants. The Institute host institution will be expected to 
provide general orientation materials for this meeting. This material 
might include a tentative program outline with suggested goals and 
objectives, relevant background information about the U.S. institutions 
and individuals involved in the project, and information about the 
local housing, climate, and available services.

Program Administration

    All Summer Institute programming and administrative logistics, 
management of the academic program and the educational tour, and on-
site arrangements will be the responsibility of the Institute grantee.
    The host institution is responsible for arrangements for lodging, 
food, maintenance and local travel for participants while at the host 
institution and in Washington. The host institution should strive to 
balance cost effectiveness in accommodations and meal plans with 
flexibility for differing diets and personal habits among the 
participants. Single rooms or housing in residential suites which offer 
privacy while at the Institute are preferable.
    USIA will arrange participants' international travel. USIA will 
provide the host institution with participants' curricula vitae and 
travel itineraries and will be available to offer guidance throughout 
the Institute. The participants will arrive directly at the Institute 
site from their home countries. It is expected that the Institute 
program staff will make arrangements to have participants met upon 
arrival at the airport nearest the host campus. Departures will be from 
Washington DC. Participants will be given international tickets which 
will include the leg from the host institution to Washington DC. The 
institute staff will have to plan for ground transportation to and from 
Washington area airports.
    Proposals should describe the available health care system and the 
plan to provide health care access to Institute participants. USIA will 
provide limited health insurance coverage to all participants. The host 
institution will be

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responsible for enrolling the participants in the insurance program 
with materials supplied by USIA.

Proposed Budget

    Applicants must submit a comprehensive line-item budget for the 
entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as a break-down 
reflecting both the administrative budget and the program budget. For 
better understanding or further clarification, applicants may provide 
separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or 
activity in order to facilitate USIA decisions on funding. The cost to 
USIA for the Summer Institute for English Language Educators from South 
Africa and Namibia should not exceed $145,000. Grants awarded to 
eligible organizations with less than four years of experience in 
conducting international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000.
    Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Instructional costs (for example: instructors' salaries, 
honoraria for outside speakers, educational course materials);
    (2) Lodging, meals, and incidentals for participants;
    (3) Expenses associated with cultural activities planned for the 
group of participants (for example: tickets, transportation);
    (4) Administrative costs as necessary. Proposals should maximize 
cost-sharing through private sector support as well as institutional 
direct funding contributions.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.

Review Process

    USIA will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will review them 
for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they 
do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the 
Solicitation Package. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of 
USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will be 
reviewed by the program office, as well as the USIA Office of African 
Affairs and USIA posts overseas, where appropriate. Proposals may be 
reviewed by the Office of the General Counsel or by other Agency 
elements. Funding decisions are at the discretion of the USIA Associate 
Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical 
authority for assistance awards (grants or cooperative agreements) 
resides with the USIA grants officer.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:

1. Quality of the Program Idea:

    Proposal should exhibit quality, rigor, and appropriateness of 
proposed syllabus to the academic objectives of the Institute. Proposal 
should demonstrate effective use of community and regional resources to 
enhance the cultural and educational experiences of participants.

2. Program Planning

    Relevant work plan and detailed calendar should demonstrate 
substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Plan and calendar 
should adhere to the program overview and guidelines as described 
above.

3. Institutional Capacity

    Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate 
and appropriate to achieve a substantive academic program and effective 
cross-cultural communication with African participants. Proposal should 
show evidence of strong on-site administrative capabilities with 
specific discussion of how logistical arrangements will be undertaken.

4. Multiplier Effect/Impact

    Proposed program should contribute to long-term, mutual 
understanding and sharing of information about Africa among Americans, 
as well as to the understanding and knowledge of the U.S. among the 
African participants.

5. Support of Diversity

    Proposals should demonstrate the recipient's commitment to 
promoting the awareness and understanding of diversity. Program 
administrators should strive for diversity among Institute staff, 
university students, and the host community who interact with 
participants.

6. Ability to Achieve Program Objectives

    Teaching objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. 
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the 
program's objectives and plan.

7. Institution's Record/Ability

    Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of successful 
exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management and full 
compliance with all reporting requirements for past Agency grants as 
determined by USIA's Office of Contracts. The Agency will consider the 
past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of 
new applicants.

8. Follow-on Activities

    Proposals should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity 
(without USIA support) which ensures that USIA supported programs are 
not isolated events.

9. Project Evaluation

    Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the Summer Institute's 
success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program.

10. Cost-effectiveness

    The overhead and administrative components of the proposal, 
including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. 
All other items should be necessary and appropriate.

11. Cost-sharing

    Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector 
support as well as institutional direct funding contributions.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may 
not be modified by any USIA representative. Explanatory information 
provided by the Agency that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on 
the part of the Government. The Agency reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of 
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

Notification

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures.

    Dated: January 30, 1998.
Robert L. Earle,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-2815 Filed 2-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M